“My biggest muse is psychedelia,” Joanna Świrska tells me. “My visions inspire the work, a controlled mess of surrealism with a lot of bright colors… My dreams come true every day.” This petite Polish artist, tattooing as Dżo Lama, spends her time wandering the mountains, tumbling into wild trances. Fascinated with the unknown, hunting for an […]
Author: Morgan English
Remixing Reality: Dzikson Wildstyle Tattoos
Dzikson Wildstyle is a playful tattooer who lives by the motto, “why not?” Remixing realism and modern pop art, he finds harmony between order and chaos. His tattoos stand out because they’re unexpected. They break apart supposed boundaries between art styles, and encourage others to experiment, as well. Always working with a wink and a […]
Surreal and Mesmerizing Double Exposure Tattoos
Abstract and surreal photographers can develop their dreamscapes using double exposure. By blending several images in a single frame, they’re free to abandon the laws of nature. Any scene is possible. In the expanding global tattoo community, everyone is taking more risk. Recent experiments with double exposure show a new level of photorealistic tattooing. Top: Vertigo portrait tattoo by Thomas Carli Jarlier. “Spirit of the Sea” by Charly Huurman. […]
Sketchbook Tattoos by Miriam Frank
German tattooer Miriam Frank is constantly sketching the world around her: a crowded fish market, the rhythms of a laundromat, the whimsy of children doodling their dreams. She’s fascinated by extraordinary faces and strange situations, unusual people in unexpected environments. With comprehensive training in 3D animation, typography and design, Frank combines the joy of illustration […]
Lace Tattoos by Falukorv
French artist Falukorv adorns herself in vintage garments and traditional tattoos. Her pin-up fashion sense mirrors her design aesthetic: delicate with an old-school edge. At first blush, some might compare her to Dodie, but Falukorv differs by actually downplaying the embroidery. Her portfolio primarily focuses on neotraditional and realistic elements, using lace as a way to just highlight the main feature, a decoration designed to draw the eye in. Images © Falukorv
Single Needle Tattoos
Somewhere between a bold statement and “barely there,” the single needle technique is broadening the realm of possibility for micro tattoos. Whether hand poked or machine-powered, fine lines allow for more complexity in a smaller space. This can eliminate room for error, so it’s a task for only the steadiest of hands. But when it’s done well, the […]
10 Tattooers to Look Out For in 2015
Finding the right tattooer is tough. Popular artists are easy to find, but almost impossible to book. If you saw their press coverage, so did everyone else, and one set of hands can’t meet that demand. Then there’s the reality of selective, niche interests. If your concept is wrong for them, they could turn you […]
Scientific Illustration Tattoos
Scientific illustration originated thousands of years ago as a visual aid for medical texts. Centuries before cameras, these artists crafted perfect renderings of plants, animals, anatomy, equations, conceptual and hypothetical processes. And now, this ancient tradition lives on, in a flourishing new tattoo trend. Possibly as a reaction to the influx of abstract art in the market, people around the world now seek concrete subject matter, […]
New Watercolor Tattooers of 2014
Consider the time that goes into crafting a beautiful painting on canvas. Then consider doing it all over again, this time with an electric rotary on the elastic and unpredictable surface that is the human body. No mistakes allowed. Watercolor tattoos were trendy back in ‘12, with pioneers like Ondrash, Klaim and Wachob. Their body art experiments inspired others to explore, giving way to modern masters […]
White Ink Tattoos
A subtle scar, white ink is popular for the barely there aesthetic. It’s a controversial choice among tattooers, though, and many won’t use it because white ink often fades. But this attitude assumes the client needs something dramatic. White could actually be the perfect way to inscribe yourself with privacy. Or perhaps it represents an injury, […]